Opportunity Villages Community Land Trust says it hopes to break ground soon on The Brickworks, its Chatham affordable housing project.
Opportunity Villages Community Land Trust says it hopes to break ground soon on The Brickworks, its Chatham affordable housing project.
Advertisement 2
Article content
The organization is “grateful for the financial support” from the federal Community Services Recovery Fund during 2023-24, it said in a recent news release.
“After struggling through the COVID pandemic to develop and maintain key community relationships, (that) funding. . . allowed (the land trust) to move its unique small home development closer to reality,” he said.
Most of the funding went to consultants planning to remediate the brownfield property, other professionals preparing preliminary designs for the 30 small-home units and a common building, and marketing experts to educate prospective homeowners and potential investors, the land trust said.
The balance went to office equipment and supplies, participating in the new Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts and the University of Toronto’s Social Purpose Real Estate Program, and to commercial general liability insurance and legal fees, it said.
Advertisement 3
Article content
Plans for The Brickworks, to be located on Taylor Avenue in east Chatham, include small, affordable homes, ranging from 56 to 84 square meters (600 to 950 square feet).
The aim is to provide another option for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families seeking to transition out of rental accommodation into home ownership.
“(Opportunity Villages) looks forward to breaking ground in the near future, thanks to the preparatory work made possible through the CSRF funding,” the release said.
Last month, a public information session was held to provide further details for prospective homeowners and investors.
For more on the project, visit ovclt.ca.
Article content